What does these two words mean? In our everyday life we ask someone a question and when they respond with an answer we reply back with a “Thank You”. It doesn’t even matter if you like the answer, the words “Thank you” come out automatically like you’re returning a tennis volley. In many circles its even considered rude to not say thank you.
What do we really mean when we say thank you? Are we telling the person “Hey, thanks for taking the effort to reply back with an answer” or is it because we feel we owe them something in return when they reply back? “He gave me an answer, now I have to say something… wait I know what to say! Thank you” Does anyone think when saying thank you or does it just come out of you automatically life a reflex action?
Recently I saw this movie “Three Idiots” and it raised an issue which I’ve been meaning to question for a really long time. In the movie (as in several points of my life) people have remarked “friends ko thank you nahi bolte” (you don’t need to say thank you to your friends)
My question is Why not?
Thank you is defined as a “conversational form of expressing gratitude”. Essentially it means that if you’re happy with the service rendered, you express your gratitude by using the words “Thank You”. It isn’t meant to be as a reply to an answer, or a way to finish of a conversation. It is a way to express your gratitude. So, when a friend helps me out (or vice-versa) why shouldn’t I express my gratitude? I’ll say thank you a million times if I’m happy. Its the human way of sharing an emotion — happiness. The thank you isn’t for you, its for me… I’ll give it whether you want it or not. I would also expect the same in return. If I help you out with something and you feel grateful, say thank you, otherwise it seems to me that you don’t care.
I think this term has been severely watered down to a point where its real meaning has been lost. Next time someone helps me out, I’ll say thank you even if its friend, a family member or a random stranger. You should do that too, and hopefully they will be happy that it comes from the heart.
